In a dramatic Senate vote this week, three bills introduced by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, which sought to block a significant U.S. arms sale to Israel, were soundly defeated. The proposed arms deal, valued at approximately $20 billion, would have provided Israel with additional military supplies amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a situation that has garnered significant international attention.
The timing of Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) comes just a year after Hamas launched its deadly attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza escalated dramatically, with the Gaza Health Ministry estimating that more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations. The situation in Gaza has worsened, with the United Nations warning of an impending famine as more than 2 million Palestinians face dire food insecurity and “extremely critical” levels of hunger.
Sanders’ Final Appeal
In his passionate plea on the Senate floor, Sanders strongly criticized the U.S. government’s support for the ongoing Israeli military actions. He argued that the provision of U.S. arms to Israel was exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and violating international law. Sanders called on his fellow senators to recognize the U.S.’s complicity in what he described as “mass starvation” and widespread destruction in Gaza.
“I am deeply concerned about the role the United States is playing in this crisis,” Sanders said. “The U.S. is complicit in the deaths of thousands, and we are funding a war that is causing unspeakable suffering. It is time for the U.S. to stop enabling Israel’s actions and to stand for peace, not perpetual violence.”
Despite Sanders’ impassioned appeal, the resolutions were voted down by the Senate with a decisive 79-18 vote. The vote was expected given the strong bipartisan support for Israel in the U.S. Senate, where many lawmakers continue to back the Jewish state, especially in the context of its security concerns.
Disagreement Among Democrats
The vote underscored a growing rift between Sanders and some members of his own party. While President Joe Biden has maintained a firm stance of support for Israel throughout the conflict, Sanders has long criticized both Israel’s military actions and Biden’s handling of the situation. Sanders has been particularly vocal about Israel’s violations of international law, which he believes are being ignored by the U.S. government.
Sanders’ criticism has extended to the Biden administration’s military aid to Israel. The senator pointed out that since the beginning of the war, the U.S. has sent Israel $18 billion in military aid, with over 50,000 tons of arms and equipment delivered. Sanders believes that this aid is fueling the violence in Gaza and contributing to the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
“It’s time for us to stop enabling these actions,” Sanders said. “This war has been waged with U.S. weaponry and paid for by American taxpayers, and it is doing nothing but increasing the suffering of innocent civilians.”
Supporters of the Resolution
The resolutions introduced by Sanders and his colleagues, including Senators Peter Welch, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley, were seen as an attempt to rein in the U.S. government’s support for Israel’s military operations. The proposed legislation sought to halt the transfer of U.S. tank rounds, water rounds, and guidance kits used in bombings in Gaza, in an effort to curb the flow of U.S. weaponry to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Several U.S. lawmakers, particularly those within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, have echoed Sanders’ calls for a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. They argue that the U.S. should not be complicit in the deaths of civilians and that more focus should be placed on humanitarian efforts rather than military aid.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a vocal critic of U.S. policy towards Israel, voiced her support for Sanders’ efforts, arguing that U.S. taxpayers should not be funding what she described as “war crimes” committed in Gaza. “The U.S. government must stop fueling violence and allow for peace and diplomacy to take precedence,” Omar stated.
The Senate’s Vote and Its Aftermath
Following the vote, the resolution’s failure to pass highlighted the difficulty that Sanders and his supporters face in convincing the Senate to act against one of its longest-standing allies. The bipartisan support for Israel remains robust, with many senators stressing the importance of U.S.-Israel relations, particularly in the context of Israel’s security threats from Hamas and other groups.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York and a staunch ally of Israel, expressed his firm stance on the matter. “We will continue to support Israel in its right to defend itself,” Schumer said after the vote. “The American people stand with Israel, and the Senate will continue to ensure that Israel has the tools it needs to protect itself from terror.”
However, Sanders’ resolution did spark important conversations within the party about the future of U.S. foreign policy. While the bill’s failure represents a setback for those advocating for a more restrained approach to military aid, it also revealed the growing tension among Democrats regarding the U.S.’s unconditional support for Israel in the face of mounting human rights concerns.
Global Reaction and Future Implications
The failure of Sanders’ bills is expected to have international ramifications, as it sends a clear message to Israel and the broader Middle East that the U.S. will continue its unwavering support for Israeli military actions. However, the debate over U.S. foreign policy in the region is far from over. Many human rights groups and international organizations continue to call for an end to arms sales to Israel, citing the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The resolution’s defeat also has political implications for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, as Sanders and other progressive Democrats continue to push for a rethinking of U.S. foreign policy. With growing opposition from within the Democratic Party itself, this issue will likely remain a contentious topic in future elections, as candidates are forced to navigate the complexities of U.S.-Israel relations and public opinion on military aid.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Sanders’ efforts, while unsuccessful in this instance, have brought critical attention to the issue of U.S. complicity in the ongoing violence in Gaza. Whether or not future Congresses will take a different approach remains to be seen, but for now, the status quo of unwavering support for Israel in the Senate has prevailed.
